Actuating means for shock absorbers



Sept. 6, 1932. ECKHARD ACTUATING MEANS FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS v Filed Aug. 30. 1930 I l l l l l v I l I l l I l II Patented Sept. 6, 1932 JOHN ,ncKHAnn or CINCINNATI, onto f ACTUAIING MEANS fron SHOCK ABsonBEns Appiicationaied Augugt' 3o, 1930.A serial No. 478,951.

Y This invention relates to improvementsin actuating means or link structures for opera? tively connecting shock absorbersv with vehicle springs or axles. -Y

An object of the invent-ion is to provide a link structure of the above character that iis n simple and more durable than those in common usage, and one which effectively provides for a maximum of relative radial movement between the ball and socket elementsthereof,

thereby precluding breakage and bending of the lever arm.

Another object is the provision of a novel and sturdy connecting link structure comprising a hollow internally threaded element that may be cut off at a desired length to suit the re uirements of the vehicle to be equipped.

nother object is to provide a ball and- M socket type of actuatingmeans that is constructed to permit the provision of large sliding surfaces between the ball and socket, and to eliminate, by disposing the arm and connecting link in a common plane,l the strains to which the ordinary off-set type of device is subjected. i

Another obj-ect is to retain the large sliding surfaces between the ball and socket elements, by the provision of a comparatively long and narrow slot 25 in the' ball element, rather than a circular opening. A These and other objects are attained by the means described `herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing,in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the actuating means or linkV structure operatively connected witha vehicle spring and a conventional shock absorber.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. i F ig. 3 isla-n elevational view of a modified form of ball and socket structure of the invention. i f 1 The actuating means or link'structure of the present invention isdis'closed in operative relationship with a vehicle spring 5 and a conventional shock absorberf which is bolted or otherwise secured, as at 7,`to the frame`8 or other suitable part of a vehicle. The shock Y absorber'has extending therefrom a piston shaft-9 adapted' to receive in clamping relation the boreor bearing 10 Vprovided in the arm 11. The piston shaft and bearingk 10 may be provided with flutes or serrations 12 PATENT; oI-Fjicziz-v to preclude relative movementthereof when the device is in use. Any suitable means such as a bolt and nut 12 may be provided for' securing the arm to the piston shaft. lItis' to be understood that the type of shock absorber to be actuated by'lthe device of'this invention is immaterial to the invention, wherefore the shock absorber disclosed need not be described in detail, it being suflicient tol state that the shock absorber has an extending piston shaft to which the i arm` 11 ymay be secured. j The invention is-not to be restricted to the type of spring clamp 13 disclosed herein, for it is well known that such clampsmay be replaced by clamps for the axle of thevehicle,

andthat the clampsmay be modified to re-` i ceive Ysuch axle.V The simple spring clamp disclosedherein for purposes of explanation comprises plates 14 that extend` transversely of and overhang'the sidesof the spring, the plates having clamped between them (the springleaves by means `of two or more bolts 15 extending through perforations in the plates.r

The free end 16 of armll is provided with an extension 17 projecting forwardly'ofthe arm `at an `angle thereto,'saidextensionhaving a spherical outer surface 18 and a spherereceiving inner socket 19substantially concentric therewith. The socket 19 is adapted to receive therein apart ball/20 which is pro-A vided with a bore 21 for reception of a`fbolt 22 having a head 23 in abutment uponthe la't top portion 241- of the part ball. l The bolt' extends through an elongated slot 25 in the socket and the threaded end 26 is received in the threaded bore 27 of the hollow link member or connector28.` Anut 290 serves to lock the boltA and connector 28 against relative movement.

` Intermediatethe nut and end 17 is vdisposed aV sleevefor bearing `member29` `one 'end of which 'has a socket'BO for reception of the circles'the bolt. The spring abuts the dividing wall 34 of the sleeve and a washer 35 which abuts the lock nut 290. From the forev'going it should be apparent that by placing rlhe advantagesover structures, having off-setY ball and socket members aref obvious,`and the straight line transmission of force 1nsures maximum strength and elimination of -undue wear. By the above arrangement, the

ballY and socket members may be made large and sturdy without detracting from the appearance of the device.

l The construction at the lower end 36 of the Y 'sleeve is identical with that at the upper end, Y

^ the only difference being the provision of a spring or axle clamp 13 on the arm 37 instead ofthe structure 10-12 as on arm 11. stated before, the particular type of clamp 13 is immaterial to the present invention.

Means are provided for enclosing the ball and socket structures at each end of the connecting link. Said rmeans consists of a dust cap 38 having bearing faces 40 coinciding with the bearing faces 41 of the ball and socket portion 17 of the arm, and the cap isV held thereon by means ofa screw or other securing means 42 whichy passes through., a perforate inclined lugy `43 on the cap and threadedly engages a bore 44 in an inclined abutment surface 39 on the armll. Any suitable type of grease or oil fitting 45 may be associated Ywith the cap, or if desired, with l.the socket portion` 18.

In Fig. 3 is disclosed a ball and socket joint substantially the same as that of Figs. 1 and 2, there being provided on the sleeve or bear-V ing socket member 29 a pair of upwardly exv tending ears 46 shaped to Yfollow the contour ofthe ball portion 18, thereby serving to insure the exclusion of dirt and water from the ball joints. It should be clear, however, that the sockets of members 29 maybe formed deep enough to accomplish the same result, if desired. l, fx v The sleeve 28 may be provided with any Vsimple means, such as a perforation .47 for receiving a'suitablerod ortoohwhereby the sleeve may be precluded from turning when the lock nuts 290 are tightened. The sleeve is designed to be cut o, when necessary, to-

decrease the distance between the upper and lowerrball and socket joints. yThe provision hold the Yvarious spherical sur@ of the simple tube or sleeve 28 increases the strength of the device and renders it readily applicable to all makes and types of vehicles.

As indicated at 60, (Fig. 2), the perforation 47 may be eliminated and a hexagonal portion substituted for receiving a wrench.

The means for obtaining a` maximum of relative ball and socket movement will now be described in detail. It should be readily apparent from the disclosure in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, that the sphere receiving inner socket 19 on the extension or free end of arm 11 is not merely a spherical depression but a spherical depression terminat-ing in a cylinder 50 which may be of substantially the same diameter-as the part ball 20. The provision of the cylindrical portion 50 permits the ball and socket portion 18u of the arm to depend downwardly from the end of the arm, below the centerline thereof.

By means of this construction, the sphericalv outer surface 18 ofthe extension I17' may be shaped to provide a considerable portion of a sphereV so that an lextensive surfacelis provided for contact with the socket 30 and so thata long slot 25 maybe formed therein to allow great movement of the connectingrod relative to the arm 11. lt should be noted I that the outerV spherical surface 18is permitted to continue for a considerable distance' above thecenter point of the sphere, there being enough metal in the walls thereof lto allow for cutting into the walls, as at 5l and 52, for extending the spherical surface in the direction of the top of the cylindrical portion 50. As indicated at 53 (Fig. 2) the cylindrical portion 50 preferably is reamedy or drilled out slightly larger than the diameter of the part ball 2O so that-the inner spherical surface 19 may readily be machinedv without necessitating accurate machining of the cylindrical portion 50. It is'to be notedl that sufficient metal remains inthe regiony of the cut-away'portions 51A-52l and the'screw 44, to afford the required amount of arm strength. The top annular evdgeof the sleeve or socket member 29 may reach the cut-away portions 51 and 52 when the connecting rod 28 is moved to the extreme positions, which include an arc of approximately 120 de-y grecs.` The widthof the long slot v25fis such as to allow but little lateral movement of` the connecting rod relative to the planeV ofy the arm, thereby reserving amaxinium slid-v ing surface for Vthe socket portion of sleeve From the foregoing, it should be observed that a durable `and wear-resisting structure is securedand that therelative movementV of the parts in the-plane of'arm V11 is sufficiently great to preclude bending or fracturel of the arm 11 due to the sleeve ory socket:

member 28 striking the arm when inuse. e f

It is to berunderstood that variousmodi'- soV lications and'changes in structural details of .Y 11H5 the device may be made, Within the scope of the appended t claims, without departing from the spiritl of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination an arm having a socket on an end thereof the socket having an opening therein the axis of which opening lies in the plane of the arm, a spherical portion on the said end of the arm substantially concentric with the socket interior, a bored sleeve having a socket depression therein substantially concentric with the bore, the bore being enlarged at one end for'lreception of a spring, a spring in the enlarged portion of the bore, a dividing wall inthe sleeve between the spring and socket portion, a partsphere element received in the socket of the arm, a screw threaded element associated with the part sphere element and extendin through the socket opening and the bore o the sleeve, and a ,tubular connector having a threaded bore for receiving an end of the screw threaded element.

2. In combination an arm having an extension on one end thereof developed into a ball and socket member, the extension having a slot therein, the interior of the extension being hollowed out to receive a portion of a sphere and the exterior thereof being spherical in shape for reception in a socket, a bearing member having a socket in which the spherical exterior of the extension may be disposed, a part sphere element disposed interiorly of the extension, means associated with said element and extending through the slot for holding said element, the extension and the bearing member in contacting relationship, and a removable cap for covering the hollow-ed out portion of the extension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 29th day of August,

JOHN ECKHARD. 

